Speck ToughSkin Rubberized Case with Belt Clip for 80/120/160 GB iPod classic 6G (Black) by Speck Products
|
List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
(Click here)
Digital camera reviews of Speck ToughSkin Rubberized Case with Belt Clip for 80/120/160 GB iPod classic 6G (Black)
Digital camera Review: A great protective case for your iPod (as long as you don't need a fancy looking case).
Summary: 5 Stars
The Speck ToughSkin Rubberized Case with Belt Clip for 80/120/160 GB iPod classic 6G (Black) is a great way to protect your iPod against the everyday wear-and-tear as long as you are not looking for a posh looking case OR you can deal with the looks of this one.
Let me explain why I'm saying this. The case seems to be mostly made for practical purposes, those are: protect your iPod physically and (hopefully) last you for a long while but it can make your iPod look like a Husky or Tuper tool that belongs in a toolbox, which is why I jokingly call this case "a macho case" among my friends who own iPods.
The case is made of hard rubber that seems perfectly able to stand bumps and gentle hits, I wouldn't recommend tossing your iPod with this case against the ground and expect it to bounce back at you intact but it could make a critical difference between a good scare and a good cry if (heaven forbid) you ever drop your iPod to the ground.
The case has holes to expose the places you'll be using frequently (Click Wheel, headphone port, Hold button) and the connection port, which means you don't have to remove the case everytime you plug the iPod to the computer. Unfortunately at this time I haven't been able to test it while using a docking station yet to check if the case obstructs or not, but once I do I'll update this review.
The case comes paired with a protective screen for the iPod's screen (obviously). The iPod's screen seems to be just as fragile and easy to scratch as the LCD screen of my DSLR, which means that covering it with something hard is practically a must in order to avoid light scratches, hard scratches or (heaven forbid) a cracked LCD screen. The protective screen covers the ipod's screen completely and appears that Speck wanted that the screen and the case formed a kind of seal around the LCD screen but I don't know why it doesn't complete the seal the area around the screen in my case. there is space everywhere except at the bottom of the screen, no matter how much I press the rubber around, it will move away from the place where it should stay put.
One drawback from the screen protector (as with most of them) is that it can create glare that makes the screen hard to see, this is mostly noticeable when using a low power output of the LCD screen or if you check the ipod for the time. Personally I find this a nuisance I can bear, because I prefer the screen protected than having it exposed.
Finally, the case brings a clip you can remove. The clip allows you to carry your ipod at your waist or other places. You can remove it by pressing a spring in the same clip and it disattaches from the rest of the case. The only thing left is the plastic where the clip attaches but it's not too obtrusive.
There are two things that you must observe with this case:
1) The iPod classic (in my case, a Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL )will not fit on it's own within the case, it will be thinner than the case. Fortunately, Speck provides you with a rubber thin plaque that compensates for that extra space and the iPod won't dance around inside the case with it. As a plus, it provides a bit more protection to the back of the ipod, which is where the HD is located, therefore a sensitive location.
2) The case increases the overall size of the iPod. This may pose a problem if you like to carry the thing you in your pockets or in narrow places.
Like I mentioned in the beginning of my review, the look of this case is more of a tool found at a workshop than a cool-looking accessory. If you're looking for a case that will make the iPod look as an item from a sci-fi movie, you'll have to look elsewhere. The case is designed with practicality and safety of the device it will hold in mind.
So far I've been very pleased with the product, it has kept my iPod safe so far and it doesn't seem it will break anytime soon, which is something I wanted to avoid. I've seen very cool looking cases breaking or cracking too easily with mild use and I didn't want to be replacing the case every 2 months. So far I've had this case for a month but if I have any problems with it in the long run, I shall report them here.
If you favor practicality over looks and want a case that will protect your ipod from bumps, scratches and small drops, I seriously recommend checking this case out. I find it has more pros than cons, but it's ultimately up to you to decide what you want in a case for your iPod.
In the meantime, I recommend this case.
EDIT (Feb 4th 2011): After having taken out my iPod for cleaning and having inspected the case a bit more closely, I've found a few things worth mentioning:
1) The clip holder that's left if you remove the clip can also be removed, you just press against it so the clear plastic part will cross to the other side and it's off, so if you'd like to use the case without the clip, you can actually do it. The hole left is covered by the plastic plaque.
2) The plastic plaque works better if the side with the Speck logo is facing down and the smooth side is the one touching your iPod's back.
3) Regarding the LCD protection screen: After having looked at it more closely, I've realized that it has a groove on it that acts as a gap between the protective screen and the LCD screen of the iPod itself. I'm thinking that this was done in case that if the protective screen was cracked, that the impact wouldn't reach the LCD screen. This is smart thinking by Speck I think.
There is another plus; usually protective screens for LCD screens that have a gap allow for dust to get inside that gap and eventually attach permanently to the LCD screen because of the static build up they gather over time. Today I had to remove the protective screen to check the LCD screen and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was completely clean and unmarked. This is because the protective screen is surrounded by a thin black plastic that acts like a gasket and seals the area around the LCD screen, so there is no way dust can enter to gap left by the protective screen. Remember that I mentioned above that the rubber of the case doesn't seem to create a gasket around the protective screen although it looks like it was intended that way? Well, the protection has that gasket, so even if the rubber of the case doesn't cover the edges of the protective screen, your LCD screen is still protected. Another plus point of this case.
I recommend this case even more after having realized all this.
Digital camera Review: A quality case
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading many reviews of this case, I got EXACTLY what I was expecting. A bulky, rubber, case for my i-pod classic that I feel is the best protection for it I have seen.Digital camera Review: AWESOME!
Summary: 5 Stars
This case easily fits on a 160 gb ipod, and comes with an optional piece of rubber that slides into the case for 80 gb. It's very sturdy, looks great and offers great screen protection. The belt clip easily clips on and off. 10 out of 10!Digital camera Review: Abuse proof! The best I've had.
Summary: 5 Stars
i've bought a few iPod covers in my day, and none so far have survived the concrete jungle of new york city (and the thousand times i've dropped it) like this one! the rubber is thick and very protective, and it is ridged, which is super handy to wrap the earbud wire around when not in use. it comes with adjustable attachments for those of us with 80gig iPods. the belt clip is also very sturdy, and i have used it as a cord winder for over 6 months. this also comes with a protective screen for your iPod screen - which doesn't scratch at all! and they leave the touch wheel uncovered - thank god!!!! why do all the other companies cover the wheel?? it's the worst idea they've ever had!
this is an excellent cover (and accessories) - it really respects your iPod 8)
Digital camera Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this for about a year now - I got it when I got my iPod.
My iPod does not have a scratch on it. Why did I wait a year to write a review? I figured, "Well, it's nothing special. Just a huge bulky rubbery thing to protect my iPod." Not bulky enough to make me write a bad review, though. As expected of a huge bulky rubbery thing, when I dropped it once or twice on pavement, the iPod was protected and did not shatter into a million pieces and die.
But do you want to hear why I like this huge bulky rubbery thing? I slammed the trunk on the iPod. Several times in a row, very hard, because I did not realize that I had left the iPod there. My iPod still works. Still not a scratch on it. The belt clip on the case got stuck closed, but I managed it back apart and it also works flawlessly.
I'd recommend this. I have the black cover on my black iPod. Very good buy, I must say.